I owned them both in 4x16 and found them to pretty much be a wash in optical quality. About equal lens quality, similar reticle (plex), similar raincoating, similar brightness and resolution. The sightron however had less scope mounting area and was more critical in eye position at higher powers, not to mention a lot more money. I would choose the 4200 for overall performance.....

Focus

I Can See Clearly Now......<><

If Accurate rifles Are Interesting.....I've Got Some Savages That Are Getting Mighty Interesting......

Thanks guys. I plan to rescope a favorite Rem 700 and the decision is between the 4200 and the Sightron. I am impressed, in particular, with the Sightron's no questions asked return feature, but am leaning toward the 4200.

Bonefish the sightron scope I bought came with a warranty disclaimer that said they would repair or replace the scope at their discretion. They no longer replace with a new scope every time. When a member here had problems with his big sky and returned it they sent it back to him and did not replace. The no questions asked warranty is offered by bushnell actually. Sightron always said thet would replace any scope found defective.....that no longer is the case as per the warranty papers that came with mine however. Just didn't want to see you buy a scope and think you were getting a different warranty than you will get.

Focus

I Can See Clearly Now......<><

If Accurate rifles Are Interesting.....I've Got Some Savages That Are Getting Mighty Interesting......

Ditto on the 4200...the Sightron is a really good scope ( I have one and am happy with it ) . but I also have 6 4200"s would them the edge with a slight increase in optical clarity --plus the rainguard could be a hunt saver.

Bonefish, you can trust me on this, I've had experience with what I posted myself this fall with both companys. If you can find a big sky in stock anywhere just take it out and read the enclosed warranty card that comes with the scope. Go to bushnells website and you can read their no questions asked one year warranty if they are still doing this now that the year has changed, and read their lifetime warranty. Do a search for a sightron thread a month or so ago with Pete and see how it worked when he sent his in. It should be 8-12 pages back on the rifle scopes thread. You will also see where koskin posted on Petes thread.

Focus

Edited by Focus - January/01/2008 at 19:38

I Can See Clearly Now......<><

If Accurate rifles Are Interesting.....I've Got Some Savages That Are Getting Mighty Interesting......

I've had a Sightron 3-12x 42mm Big Sky for over a year now and have been extremely happy with it. I have it mounted on a Remington 700XCR in 30-06. I shoot clover leaf groups with off-the-shelf ammo at 100 yards.

FYI - The Big Sky series has moisture coating similar to Bushnells 'Raingaurd'

The 4200 & Sightron II BigSky are both good scopes for the money.Sightron replaced a 3-9x42 no questions asked.I called a month ago and did speak to a tech where he did state the scope would be repaired or returned if the problem was not found by him.He clearly said if I find the eye relief is about 3inches I'm sending it back. I claimed it was only 2 inches and mounted it on an AR-15 and showed to other shooters who complained it was a problem.I mentioned the no question policy and he muttered in a southern dialect, just hard to understand how that person has a position in a company explaining the technical aspects of the scope .I still own three Sightrons and for the money a good scope.Try a Zeiss Conquest The Big Sky is the same price and the Zeiss is Brighter!!!

Hey guys I still didn't get my sightron scope back....when I called they said they are backed up over the holiday season and still have to test my scope. Like I said before the scope seemed like it had a whiteish sheen to it and did not focus clearly. Bushnell legend looked much better clarity wise out to 200 yards, definitely was not happy with that. So I sent it back and they said the windage and elevation was way off so they corrected that and said it should make a difference.....but it didn't. So now I sent it back a second time and have been waiting for a while. Last time I called they said they have to test it at the range and they'll probably just send a replacement but we'll see. I would of went with a 4200 if they had a 4-16x40 with mil dots. I'll let you guys know how it turns out, but if the new 2008 4200 has a 4-16x40 with mil dots I might just trade my scope in for the bushnell.

Hey Pete I wondered why we never heard no more from you. When did you first send it back? Seems that was a while back, hope things work out for you and they just replace it with a new scope like they should have at the start. I think the bushnell 4200 will have just as good optics and actually cost less money.

Focus

I Can See Clearly Now......<><

If Accurate rifles Are Interesting.....I've Got Some Savages That Are Getting Mighty Interesting......

I first sent the scope back november 9th and then sent it back the second time on november 29th. Had to call fedex to see when I shipped it because it's been too long and forgot. Just heard about the bushnell 6500 and they'll have a 2.5-16x42 with mil dots so I'll probably end up sending my scope back for the bushy....just don't want to deal with problems and hassles anymore.

While I am waiting for my new Howa M1500 .375 Ruger to arrive in June and in looking at all the scope possibilities for that rifle, one of the scopes that I am considering is the lower powered variable Sightron Big Sky 1.25x5! WHAT! NO ELITE 4200 for Squeeze??? Well! Ya go with what works best for any given rifle and caliber!..........For this rifle, I prefer a 1" straight scope tube (n/a in the 4200), which will offer a wider FOV than a 4200! The Sightron is lighter at about 10 oz. and shorter in length. Although my 3x9 4200, which I could use, offers enough eye relief, the Sightron`s is better at 3.8" to 4" and will offer comparable optical quality as the 4200! When the new rifle arrives, I`ll just keep the 4200 on my Ruger compact....................Not to get off topic here, but aside from that attractive gold ring on the same low powered straight tubed Leupold VX3`s, which BTW are more money by almost $200, can anyone justify to me the added expense of the Leupold VX3 over the Sightron Big Sky???? Should I get a Leupold and make Optimus Primus proud as well as eat my own words about Leupolds being OVER priced???..........TRY not to look at me new avatar,,,,TOO MUCH!

I don't blame ya, so much for their no hassle scope replacement policy. Your issues have NOTHING to do with taking it out on a range.....they are blur and focus issues that I also had. They should be able to look thru the scope and know right away it needs replacing. Thats what I am trying to impart in this thread, they don't always replace anymore despite what anyone thinks. Those 6500's do look good I agree....Take Care.

Focus

I Can See Clearly Now......<><

If Accurate rifles Are Interesting.....I've Got Some Savages That Are Getting Mighty Interesting......

My apologies for a long absence. Holidays got to me, and then I was sick for a while.

Now on Big Sky vs Elite 4200. Both are good scopes. I think they are optically very close. Sightron Big Sky has longer and a little more flexible eye relief, which I like. Correspondingly, Elite 4200 has slightly wider field of view for similar models. In terms of durability, I have had very good luck with Sightron scopes as well as with 4200s. With the new Big Sky, I am aware of two or three people who have had problems with the 4-16x42 model. I suspect this is a problem with some early batch, but time will tell.

Elite 4200 is a bit cheaper, but Sightron gives you some additional reticle options: plex, dot or MilDot in 4-16x and 6-24x and plex or MilDot in 3-12x. Sightron is also available in silver and black.

In the end it all comes down to what you need. Both scopes will work well. If it is on a kicker, I think eye relief is important and I would look at Big Sky. If you are OK with shorter eye relief and a plex reticle, Elite 4200 is a good choice.

If you want an illuminated reticle, there are a couple of options in Elite 4200 lineup, but not in Sightron's.

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